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Thursday, August 4, 2011

Armoire Redo in Milk Paint

Some women like jewelry, some like flowers, I like old furniture wrecks, and my sweetie knows that. Y

So this post will cover a couple of things ~

1. A vintage armoire gets a makeover and a new purpose.

2. I’ll cover how to use Milk Paint.

I know everyone has jumped on the Chalk Paint bandwagon, but I happen to think that although the paint might be great, the paint itself is costly. Couple that with shipping costs and a quart of paint could cost $50 or more.

I’ve been wanting to try Milk Paint for some time. Thankfully I found a local Manufacturer for Milk Paint and went and picked up a few bags. Jennylyn was incredibly helpful. She went over the instructions, the different finishes for it and the TON of colors available, (and if you can’t find a color you like for some reason, just mix up some powders to make your own). Here are some of the products I picked up at Homestead House Paint Co.

CONTINUED... (click link below)

I know the thought of actually mixing your own paint might scare you off, but I can’t stress enough how simple this was. Mix the powder with water in a blender and pour in a container.

You can make the consistency you want; add water to make a thick paint, or more water to make a thinner wash. During application brush marks will remain to give an authentic, textured, worn finish that a liquid latex flow out does not. This paint gives a perfect, old world fresco look.

Milk paint is easily applied on raw, unfinished wood, but my piece had a shiny finish. With the addition of a bond mixed right in the paint for the first coat only, you can apply it over non-porous (or previously painted) surfaces. To further ensure a good bond, I scuffed up the shine on the armoire quickly with my power sander.

Here is a peek inside. A crooked stick for a rod and a bag of ‘somethingorother’ hanging off it.

I have NO idea what that was. Mr. Charming said it was once potpourri, (um..I dunno, what do you think it is ??)

A few modifications were needed. For some unknown reason someone cut the back legs off this unit, but Mr. Charming reattached them perfectly. As I’m not sure that Armoires are in high demand anymore, I wanted to make this piece a little more functional so off came the mirrors.

and on went the shelf supports.

I used a thin consistency milk paint on the outside to show more brush strokes and an even thinner wash on the inside. I want this piece to look as authentically old and worn as possible.

Now on to finishing. There are all kinds of ways to finish a project and I have products I could have used, but I wanted to try something different. When I asked the people at Homestead House about their Hemp Oil product, they told me to liken it to wetting your finger and putting it on a chalk board. Without leaving a shine, it brought out the color and distressed areas beautifully. You can apply this with a brush or a rag. I used both. I brushed it on sparingly and wiped it down with a rag.

I love all these products and this is just one reason. Not only does the Milk paint clean up very quickly with water, but how many top coat finishes do you know that also clean up with soap and water?

So in place of the mirrored doors, I used Fiberglass screening in charcoal color.

I purchased these little square dowel pieces and painted them.

Lay the screen over the door, stretch and secure with the square dowels with a nail gun.

Trim the excess screen with a new sharp exacto knife.

With the addition of these awesome, rusted looking handles, the doors are now complete.

And that means the project is complete!

The finished and painted wood shelves are nailed in to add extra stability to the entire unit.

Bottom line on this project is, the Milk Paint really set this piece off. The paint looks old, worn and authentic. I’d use it again… as a matter of fact, I plan to!

88 comments:

I just today picked up some milk paint, so I was excited to see your post about it. My sister used to paint with it years ago and I finally decided I'd give it a try. Glad to see that you liked it also.

It really turned out nice. I was not sure if I would like it as well without the mirrors, but I like it even more. Great job. I am on the lookout for one for my deck to store all my outside pretties from the weather.

Recaptured charm indeed! Love the finished piece and love milk paint. I worked at Lee Valley Tools for a while in my early 20s and discovered it then...it was the perfect fix for some of my shabby (but so NOT chic) furnishings.

OH. MY. GOSH. Are you kidding me? this is absolutely gorgeous. Here's what I love about you. Often times I see the same projects all over blogland (which is totally fine) but there is very little original creativity out there. Not many would think about removing the glass, adding shelves and those fabulous screens. It is fabulous! You are to talented. The finishing work I can handle... creativity... would you pass some along my way?? :)

PS- I totally agree with you on the crazy price of chalk paint, but it too is so amazing to work with. I'm hosting a giveaway on my blog right now for a quart in the color of your choice, and clear wax. There aren't many entries so far, so head on over if you are interested!

LoriThat is exactly the look I was going for. I love the old farmhouse pie safe look. I'm so glad you got that. Not many know about the old pie safes. I actually wanted to buy a pie to put in there for pictures, but I didn't get out :(

Oooooooooooohhhh, what a transformation. Your blog's other name, you know, when it is in the mood for a change, could be: "Recaptured Charm Transformations"I REALLY did not like this piece before. Who knew this lovely gem was waiting to come out? Just fabulous!Thanks for all the info on the milk paint. :)

I think this is just beautiful! I have an old armoire outside that I was wondering what to do with and now I know! For some reason, every old cupboard I have brought home has one of those "somethingorothers" in it. Maybe they think it still gives it a nice smell after fifty years :p

I LOVE it...yes, chalk paint certainly is the rage now...but so expensive...I am going to check out this milk paint...we are professional painters and every now and then we get requests for finishes like this.I love everything about your new cabinet!Rene

Another beautiful transformation!! I love the result of this milk paint, and look forward to trying it myself. And, lucky me (I never would have said that before seeing what you did here), I have a tired armoire....

What a great makeover! I just finished a makeover on our dining room set with stain, and let me tell you... the clean up was not that easy, in fact it's still under my fingernails. :) Thanks for a great tutorial, makes me want to try milk paint. I found you from Metamorphosis Monday. Here's my redo: http://www.migonishome.com/2011/08/3164-dining-room-makeover.html

Awesome! I LOVE the screen, and I want to use milk paint. I love some chalk paint, but milk paint makes me think colonial, and that appeals to a Virginia girl, somehow! Thanks for sharing! Did I mention I love the SCREEN?!

My lord, this is the cutest thing I've ever seen. I just pinned it and it will be repinned a million times...it is sooo cute.I am not on the hunt for one that I can do the same with. Just love it to pieces.

Hi Lisa ,my name is Katrina,i was born in Ireland and came to Australia 28 yrs ago,i love everything Farm house style , French,Shabby chic and i am madly in love with Perfectly Imperfect Old Furniture,so much Beauty and So Beautifully Made,it has a mystery that i so love.Your Site is totally Fantastic and personalised,your work and creativity is very inspiring,i am very glad i found you. . . . . Kind Regards Katrina

Thank you for sending this link to me. This armoire is identical to my armoire. I wish I had seen this before I started on mine, I would have gone in a different direction if I had. I love the way you refinished it and gave it that farmhouse look. Yours is beautiful! If mine turns out even half as nice as yours and I will be happy.You have a wonderful blog. I see you live in Canada, anywhere near Winnipeg?Hugs, Cindy

I just found your blog .... Love it! Do u remember what color u used on the outside of the armoire? I'm trying to finish my wainscoting & was going for a washed looked but haven't found anything I really like until I saw your armoire. I wanted a crackled whitish/ grey color to look like old drift wood so I think this would work. Any suggestions would be appreciated

OMG! The next time I see an old wardrobe I am bringing it home! I love what you've done here. Taking the mirrors off was the best idea. I used milk paint a few times back in the 1980s. Hope that doesn't date me too much.

The bag hanging in there looks like what I have seen on Pinterest. You hang up a bag of water on the porch or next to the garage to keep flies away. When light reflects on the water flies don't like it because of the way their eyes are. However, I have no idea why they would hang it in an armoire.

Like everyone else who commented, I have to say "beautiful job". I have been a fan of Homestead Milk paint since the early 90s and have recently be using the wonderful Annie Sloan chalk paint. Yes, it is expensive but if time is of the essence, it's worth it b/c there's no priming, or sanding necessary. But it has it's drawbacks too. So I think the more options of products that are non-toxic and user-friendly we can put in our homes, the better for all. BTW, I just discovered Van Gogh - a Canadian-made chalk paint which I purchased (same price as ASCP) but have yet to try. Apparently their beeswax is a wonderful product. Keep up the good work; I check in with you often and have been inspired by all your "stuff". Oh, and I think that there are cedar shavings in that little bag.

Thank you so much for your lovely comments and your tip on Van Gogh paint. I have to say I have never pursued the Chalk Paint craze because of the price, but I will contact Van Gogh and give it a try, I'm sure even lower shipping costs will make a difference. P.S. I bet you're right about the cedar shavings!

Hi there - love, love love it! Just a quick question for a step that I didn't see covered (or did I miss it?)....When do you sand off some of the paint to scuff/create the distressed look? is it before or after the hemp oil finish? Also do you simply use a fine sandpaper to distress it? do you have any tips for doing that step?Thanks in advance!Laralara1973@hotmail.com

I just got a very old armoire from a friend that I am going to attempt to fix up. How did you attach the shelf supports without damaging the armoire? The sides are thin and I did not want nails to show on the outside.

Hello... take a look at the last picture before the armoire is painted you'll see the braces are attached to the frame of the sides. This is the only way to attach anything without it going through to the other side. You need this extra thickness of wood for the braces to be stable anyway. Don't attach anything to the sides of the piece, only the frames. Hope that helps.